Fizz for Focus: Sparkling Water Improves Gamers’ Concentration

In a small study of 14 casual esports players, drinking sparkling water during three-hour sessions helped preserve attention and reduce fatigue vs plain water, with higher enjoyment and better perceived control, while heart rate, glucose, and cortisol stayed the same. The authors hypothesize carbonation may raise arousal via TRP receptors, but the mechanism wasn’t directly tested. The study was partially funded by a sparkling-water company whose employees worked on it, and results were not directly compared to coffee or energy drinks, warranting broader replication.